Bicycle Registration
The WVU Tech Police Department encourages members of the WVU Tech community to register their bicycles. Registering your bicycle with the WVU Tech PD links your bike to you using the serial number on your bike. Bicycle serial numbers are like a car's VIN number. When a bike is pawned, the pawn show reports the serial number to Beckley Police Department. This allows WVU Tech PD to search for the serial number when you report your bicycle stolen. This also allows for the return of your bicycle if you register it.
Locating Your Bike's Serial Number
The majority of serial numbers are located under the bottom bracket where the two pedal cranks meet. Simply turn your bike upside down and record the number. If there is no serial number there, then check places like the headset at the front of the bike or the rear stays. The diagram at the right indicates the five most common serial number locations. If you just can't find anything then you can either engrave your driver's license number (engravers are available through WVU Tech PD) or describe the bike the best you can when registering and maybe even take a picture with it to prove ownership.
The best chance at recovering a stolen bicycle is having a registered serial number. These numbers are used by police across the nation. You need the manufacturer's serial number to register your bicycle.